Air Bridge Structure Patents (Class 438/619)
  • Publication number: 20110241220
    Abstract: A multilayer integrated circuit (IC) including a cross pattern of air gaps in a wiring layer and methods of making the multilayer IC are provided. The patterning of the air gaps is independent of the wiring layout. Patterns of air gaps including: parallel alternating stripes of air gaps and dielectric that are orthogonal to a uni-directional metal wiring layout; parallel alternating stripes of air gaps and dielectric that are diagonal to either a uni- or bi-directional metal wiring layout; and a checkerboard pattern of air gaps and dielectric that crosses either a uni- or bi-directional metal wiring layout are easily formed by conventional photolithography and provide a comparatively uniform reduction in parasitic capacitance between the wires and the surrounding materials, when about one-half of a total length of the metal wiring layout is disposed within the air gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Edward J. Nowak, Jed H. Rankin
  • Patent number: 8030202
    Abstract: An exemplary method lines the sidewalls of a first opening with a sacrificial material and then fills the first opening with a metallic conductor in a manner such that the metallic conductor contacts the substrate. Next, the method selectively removes the sacrificial material, to create at least one “second” opening along the metallic conductor within the first opening. The method selectively removes portions of the first insulator layer through the second opening to leave at least one air gap between the metallic conductor and the first insulator layer in the lower region of the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David V. Horak, Elbert E. Huang, Charles W. Koburger, III, Shom Ponoth
  • Patent number: 8026165
    Abstract: A process for producing at least one air gap in a microstructure, including supplying a microstructure having at least one gap filled with a sacrificial material that decomposes starting from a temperature ?1, this gap being delimited over at least one part of its surface by a non-porous membrane, composed of a material that forms a matrix and of a pore-forming agent that decomposes at a temperature ?2<?1 by at least 20° C. and that is dispersed in this matrix, then treating the microstructure at a temperature ??2 but <?1 in order to selectively decompose the pore-forming agent, then treating the microstructure at a temperature ??1 in order to decompose the sacrificial material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Aziz Zenasni
  • Patent number: 8022455
    Abstract: In a method of fabricating a semiconductor device capable of reducing parasitic capacitance between bit lines and a semiconductor device fabricated by the method, the semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having buried contact landing pads and direct contact landing pads. A lower interlayer insulating layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of parallel bit line patterns are disposed on the lower interlayer insulating layer to fill the direct contact holes. A passivation layer that conformally covers the lower interlayer insulating layer and the bit line patterns is formed. An upper interlayer insulating layer for covering the semiconductor substrate having the passivation layer is formed. Buried contact plugs are disposed in the upper interlayer insulating layer between the bit line patterns and extended to contact the respective buried contact landing pads through the passivation layer and the lower interlayer insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-Wook Hwang
  • Patent number: 8004087
    Abstract: A multilayered wiring is formed in a prescribed area in an insulating film that is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Dual damascene wiring that is positioned on at least one layer of the multilayered wiring is composed of an alloy having copper as a principal component. The concentration of at least one metallic element contained in the alloy as an added component in vias of the dual damascene wiring is determined according to the differences in the width of the wiring of an upper layer where the vias are connected. Specifically, a larger wiring width in the upper layer corresponds to a higher concentration of at least one metallic element within the connected vias. Accordingly, increases in the resistance of the wiring are minimized, the incidence of stress-induced voids is reduced, and reliability can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Mari Amano, Munehiro Tada, Naoya Furutake, Yoshihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8003537
    Abstract: A method for the production of a planar structure is disclosed. The method comprises producing on a substrate a plurality of structures of substantially equal height, and there being a space in between the plurality of structures. The method further comprises providing a fill layer of electromagnetic radiation curable material substantially filling the space between the structures. The method further comprises illuminating a portion of the fill layer with electromagnetic radiation, hereby producing a exposed portion and an unexposed portion, the portions being separated by an interface substantially parallel with the first main surface of the substrate. The method further comprises removing the portion above the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
    Inventors: Xavier Rottenberg, Phillip Ekkels, Hendrikus Tilmans, Walter De Raedt
  • Patent number: 7998855
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure is provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; and a metallization layer over the semiconductor substrate. The metallization layer includes a conductive line; a low-k dielectric region adjacent and horizontally spaced apart from the conductive line by a space; and a filler dielectric material filling at least a portion of the space, wherein the filler dielectric material and the low-k dielectric region are formed of different materials. The integrated circuit structure further includes a capping layer over and adjoining the filler dielectric material and the low-k dielectric region. The filler dielectric material has a dielectric constant (k value) less than a k value of the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsien-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 7994046
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a first dielectric layer with an opening above a substrate. An exposed surface portion of the first dielectric layer in the opening is transformed. A protective dielectric layer is formed along the transformed portion of the first dielectric layer. The opening is filled with a conductive material. The transformed portion of the first dielectric layer is removed to form an air gap between the protective dielectric layer and a remaining portion of the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin-Puu Jeng
  • Patent number: 7989337
    Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing vertical airgap structures between chip metal layers. A first metal layer is formed. A first layer of silicon dioxide dielectric is deposited onto the first metal layer. A vertical air gap is etched from the first layer of silicon dioxide dielectric above the first metal layer. A second layer of silicon dioxide dielectric is deposited and the vertical air gap is sealed. A next trace layer is etched from the second layer of silicon dioxide dielectric and a via opening is etched from the second and first layers of silicon dioxide dielectric. Then metal is deposited into the next trace layer and metal is deposited into the via opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Axel Aguado Granados, Benjamin Aaron Fox, Nathaniel James Gibbs, Andrew Benson Maki, Trevor Joseph Timpane
  • Patent number: 7985654
    Abstract: A key hole structure and method for forming a key hole structure to form a pore in a memory cell. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate having an electrode formed therein, forming an isolation layer on the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer on the isolation layer, and forming a planarization stop layer on the second dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a via to extend to the first dielectric layer and recessing the isolation layer and the stop layer with respect to the second dielectric layer, depositing a conformal film within via and over the stop layer, forming a key hole within the conformal film at a center region of the via such that a tip of the key hole is disposed at an upper surface of the second dielectric layer, and planarizing the conformal film to the stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Breitwisch, Yu Zhu
  • Patent number: 7977232
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer may include, but is not limited to, the following elements. A semiconductor substrate has a device region and a dicing region. A stack of inter-layer insulators may extend over the device region and the dicing region. Multi-level interconnections may be disposed in the stack of inter-layer insulators. The multi-level interconnections may extend in the device region. An electrode layer may be disposed over the stack of inter-layer insulators. The electrode layer may extend in the device region. The electrode layer may cover the multi-level interconnections. A cracking stopper groove may be disposed in the dicing region. The cracking stopper groove may be positioned outside the device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Toyonori Eto
  • Patent number: 7960275
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a structure of electrical interconnections for an integrated circuit having levels of interconnections, the method having steps of depositing a layer of sacrificial material on the substrate, etching the layer of sacrificial material with a pattern corresponding to electrical conductors, depositing, on the etched layer of the layer of sacrificial material, a layer of permeable membrane allowing an attack agent to break down the sacrificial material, breaking down the sacrificial material by using the attack agent to form air gaps to replace the broken down sacrificial material, forming electrical conductors in the etched track so as to obtain electrical interconnections separated by air gaps, and depositing a layer of insulating material to cover the electrical interconnections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Frédéric-Xavier Gaillard
  • Patent number: 7947566
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing method includes providing a substrate, forming a plurality of semiconductor layers in the substrate, each of the semiconductor layers being distinct and selected from different groups of semiconductor element types. The semiconductor layers include a first, second, and third semiconductor layers. The method further includes forming a plurality of lateral void gap isolation regions for isolating portions of each of the semiconductor layers from portions of the other semiconductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Hao Chen, Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Jack Allan Mandelman
  • Patent number: 7948084
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method of manufacturing a dielectric material with a reduced dielectric constant is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) forming a dielectric material layer including a trench on a substrate; and (2) forming a cladding region in the dielectric material layer by forming a plurality of air gaps in the dielectric material layer along at least one of a sidewall and a bottom of the trench so as to reduce an effective dielectric constant of the dielectric material. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Jack Allan Mandelman, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20110108989
    Abstract: A process to produce an airgap on a substrate having a dielectric layer comprises defining lines by lithography where airgaps are required. The lines' dimensions are shrunk by a trimming process (isotropic etching). The tone of the patterns is reversed by applying a planarizing layer which is etched down to the top of the patterns. The photoresist is removed, leading to sub-lithographic trenches which are transferred into a cap layer and eventually into the dielectric between two metal lines. The exposed dielectric is eventually damaged, and is etched out, leading to airgaps between metal lines. The gap is sealed by the pinch-off occurring during the deposition of the subsequent dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawerence A. Clevenger, Maxime Darnon, Anthony D. Lisi, Satyanarayana V. Nitta
  • Patent number: 7939446
    Abstract: A process to produce an airgap on a substrate having a dielectric layer comprises defining lines by lithography where airgaps are required. The lines' dimensions are shrunk by a trimming process (isotropic etching). The tone of the patterns is reversed by applying a planarizing layer which is etched down to the top of the patterns. The photoresist is removed, leading to sub-lithographic trenches which are transferred into a cap layer and eventually into the dielectric between two metal lines. The exposed dielectric is eventually damaged, and is etched out, leading to airgaps between metal lines. The gap is sealed by the pinch-off occurring during the deposition of the subsequent dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Maxime Darnon, Anthony D. Lisi, Satya V. Nitta
  • Patent number: 7939922
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a semiconductor package having a substrate with a first surface to support a semiconductor die. A second surface of the substrate includes compliant conductive pads to provide electrical connections to the semiconductor die. In this way, improved connection between the semiconductor package and a socket is provided. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Qing Zhou, Wei Shi, Daoqiang Lu, Jiangqi He
  • Patent number: 7932172
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip comprises a first MOS device, a second MOS device, a first metallization structure connected to said first MOS device, a second metallization structure connected to said second MOS device, a passivation layer over said first and second MOS devices and over said first and second metallization structures, and a third metallization structure connecting said first and second metallization structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Megica Corporation
    Inventors: Mou-Shiung Lin, Chien-Kang Chou, Hsin-Jung Lo
  • Patent number: 7915162
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device. A first dielectric layer is deposited on and in direct mechanical contact with the substrate. A first hard mask is deposited on the first dielectric layer. A first and second trench is formed within the first dielectric layer and the first hard mask. The second trench is wider than the first trench. A first conformal liner is deposited over the first hard mask and within the first and second trenches, a portion of which is removed, leaving a remaining portion of the first conformal liner in direct physical contact with the substrate, the first dielectric layer, and the first hard mask, and not on the first hard mask. Copper is deposited over the first conformal liner to overfill fill the first and second trenches and is planarized to remove an excess thereof to form a planar surface of the copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Andres Bryant, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 7910473
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate having a through-silicon via with an air gap interposed between the through-silicon via and the semiconductor substrate is provided. An opening is formed partially through the semiconductor substrate. The opening is first lined with a liner and then the opening is filled with a conductive material. A backside of the semiconductor substrate is thinned to expose the liner, which is subsequently removed to form an air gap around the conductive material of the through-silicon via. A dielectric layer is formed of the backside of the semiconductor substrate to seal the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Fa Chen
  • Patent number: 7888227
    Abstract: Integrated circuit inductors (5) are formed by interconnecting various metal layers (10) in an integrated circuit with continuous vias (200). Using continuous vias (200) improves the Q factor over existing methods for high frequency applications. The contiguous length of the continuous vias should be greater than three percent of the length of the inductor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert L. Pitts, Greg C. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7883986
    Abstract: This invention includes methods of forming trench isolation. In one implementation, isolation trenches are provided within a semiconductor substrate. A liquid is deposited and solidified within the isolation trenches to form a solidified dielectric within the isolation trenches. The dielectric comprises carbon and silicon, and can be considered as having an elevationally outer portion and an elevationally inner portion within the isolation trenches. At least one of carbon removal from and/or oxidation of the outer portion of the solidified dielectric occurs. After such, the dielectric outer portion is etched selective to and effective to expose the dielectric inner portion. After the etching, dielectric material is deposited over the dielectric inner portion to within the isolation trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Li Li
  • Publication number: 20110027985
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first aerial wiring including a first wiring layer which is formed in an air gap and contains Cu as a main component and a via layer which is electrically connected to the first wiring layer, is formed in an inter-level insulating film containing a preset constituent element and contains Cu as a main component, and a first porous film formed on the first aerial wiring. The semiconductor device further includes a first barrier film which is formed to cover the surface of the first aerial wiring and contains a compound of the preset constituent element and a preset metal element as a main component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Kazumichi TSUMURA, Hideki SHIBATA, Masaki YAMADA
  • Patent number: 7871922
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a sacrificial layer over a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed over the sacrificial layer. A plurality of conductive structures are formed within the sacrificial layer and the first dielectric layer. The sacrificial layer is treated through the first dielectric layer, at least partially removing the sacrificial layer and forming at least one air gap between two of the conductive structures. A surface of the first dielectric layer is treated, forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, after the formation of the air gap. A third dielectric layer is formed over the second dielectric layer. At least one opening is formed within the third dielectric layer such that the second dielectric layer substantially protects the first dielectric layer from damage by the step of forming the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Shi Liu, Chen-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 7867924
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a lower device on a lower semiconductor substrate, and forming an interlayer insulating film on the lower device. An upper semiconductor substrate is formed on the interlayer insulating film such that the interlayer insulating film is between the lower and upper semiconductor substrates. Upper trenches are formed within the upper semiconductor substrate. An upper device isolating film is formed within the upper trenches. The upper device isolating film is irradiated with ultraviolet light having a wavelength configured to break chemical bonds of impurities in the upper device isolating film to reduce an impurity concentration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-wan Choi, Eun-kyung Baek, Sang-hoon Ahn, Hong-gun Kim, Dong-chul Suh, Yong-soon Choi
  • Patent number: 7858480
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes: a semiconductor substrate comprising an element isolation region; two gate electrodes formed in substantially parallel on the semiconductor substrate via respective gate insulating films; two channel regions each formed in regions of the semiconductor substrate under the two gate electrodes; a source/drain region formed in a region of the semiconductor substrate sandwiching the two channel regions; a first stress film formed so as to cover the semiconductor substrate and the two gate electrodes; and a second stress film formed in at least a portion of a void, the void being formed in a region between the two gate electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7855139
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the effective dielectric constant of materials used in a semiconductor device are shown and described. In one embodiment, a method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate with a plurality of pillars formed thereon, depositing a first layer of dielectric material over a plurality of pillars, removing a portion of the first layer deposited over the plurality of pillars, and depositing a second layer of dielectric material over the plurality of pillars, where the second layer leaves a plurality of voids between the plurality of pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sematech, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7847410
    Abstract: An interconnect of the group III-V semiconductor device and the fabrication method for making the same are described. The interconnect includes a first adhesion layer, a diffusion barrier layer for preventing the copper from diffusing, a second adhesion layer and a copper wire line. Because a stacked-layer structure of the first adhesion layer/diffusion barrier layer/second adhesion layer is located between the copper wire line and the group III-V semiconductor device, the adhesion between the diffusion barrier layer and other materials is improved. Therefore, the yield of the device is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Cheng-Shih Lee, Edward Yi Chang, Huang-Choung Chang
  • Patent number: 7842613
    Abstract: Methods of forming a substrate for microelectronic packaging may include electroplating a metal seed layer onto a sidewall of a trench extending through the substrate. The sidewall may be patterned to have at least one slot therein that extends through the substrate. This slot is formed to be sufficiently narrow to block plating of the metal seed layer onto sidewalls of the slot. Thereafter, the at least a pair of electrodes are selectively electroplated onto side-by-side portions of the metal seed layer on the sidewall of the trench. During this electroplating step, the slot is used to provide a self-aligned separation between the pair of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuolung Lei
  • Patent number: 7842600
    Abstract: Methods of forming an interlayer dielectric having an air gap are provided including forming a first insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate. The first insulating layer defines a trench. A metal wire is formed in the trench such that the metal wire is recessed beneath an upper surface of the first insulating layer. A metal layer is formed on the metal wire, wherein the metal layer includes a capping layer portion filling the recess, a upper portion formed on the capping layer portion, and an overhang portion formed on the portion of the first insulating layer adjacent to the trench protruding sideward from the upper portion. The first insulating layer is removed and a second insulating layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate to cover the metal layer, whereby an air gap is formed below the overhang portion of the metal layer. A portion of the second insulating layer is removed to expose the upper portion of the metal layer. The upper portion and the overhang portion of the metal layer are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-ho Yun, Jong-Myeong Lee, Gil-heyun Choi
  • Patent number: 7833890
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. A semiconductor device according to example embodiments may have reduced disturbances during reading operations and a reduced short channel effect. The semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate having a body and a pair of fins protruding from the body. Inner spacer insulating layers may be formed on an upper portion of an inner sidewall of the pair of fins so as to reduce the entrance to the region between the pair of fins. A gate electrode may cover a portion of the external sidewalls of the pair of fins and may extend across the inner spacer insulating layers so as to define a void between the pair of fins. Gate insulating layers may be interposed between the gate electrode and the pair of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-joo Kim, June-mo Koo, Seung-hwan Song, Suk-pil Kim, Yoon-dong Park, Jong-jin Lee
  • Patent number: 7811927
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal line according to embodiments includes forming an interlayer dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the interlayer dielectric layer. A trench may be formed by etching the dielectric layer and the interlayer dielectric layer. A metal material may be disposed over the interlayer dielectric layer including the trench. A first planarization process may be performed on the metal material using the dielectric layer as an etch stop layer. A wet etch process may be performed on the semiconductor substrate subjected the first planarization process. A second planarization process may be performed on interlayer dielectric layer subjected to the wet etch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myung-Il Kang
  • Patent number: 7812451
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first wiring layer, a second wiring layer and a third wiring layer. The first wiring layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The second and the third wiring layer wiring layers are arranged in a direction intersecting with the first wiring layer on respective sides of the wiring layer. An air bridge wiring intersects the second and third wiring layers sandwiching an air layer above the first wiring layer therewith. The overall shape of the air bridge wiring has an upward convex curvature in an arch shape and the transverse sectional shape of the air bridge wiring is in the form of a downward concave curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takashi Asano
  • Patent number: 7811924
    Abstract: Methods for patterning films and their resulting structures. In an embodiment, an amorphous carbon mask is formed over a substrate, such as a damascene layer. A spacer layer is deposited over the amorphous carbon mask and the spacer layer is etched to form a spacer and to expose the amorphous carbon mask. The amorphous carbon mask is removed selectively to the spacer to expose the substrate layer. A gap fill layer is deposited around the spacer to cover the substrate layer but expose the spacer. The spacer is removed selectively to form a gap fill mask over the substrate. The pattern of the gap fill mask is transferred, in one implementation, into a damascene layer to remove at least a portion of an IMD and form an air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenjiang Cui, Mehul Naik, Christopher D. Bencher, Kenneth MacWilliams
  • Patent number: 7807564
    Abstract: An integrated circuit interconnect structure. The structure includes a substrate and a layer of transistor elements overlying the substrate. A first interlayer dielectric layer is formed overlying the layer of transistor elements. An etch stop layer is formed overlying the first interlayer dielectric layer. A contact structure including metallization is within the first interlayer dielectric layer and a metal layer is coupled to the contact structure. A passivation layer is formed overlying the metal layer. Preferably, an air gap layer is coupled between the passivation layer and the metal layer, the air gap layer allowing a portion of the metal layer to be free standing. Depending upon the embodiment, a portion of the air gap layer may be filled with silicon bearing nanoparticles, which may be oxidized at low temperatures. This oxidized layer provides mechanical support and low k dielectric characteristics. Preferably, a portion of the air gap layer is filled with a low k dielectric material as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: Guoqing Chen
  • Patent number: 7807563
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a layer arrangement, a plurality of electrically conductive structures are embedded in a substrate. Material of the substrate is removed at least between adjacent electrically conductive structures. An interlayer is formed on at least one portion of sidewalls of each of the electrically conductive structures. A first layer is formed on the interlayer where an upper partial region of the interlayer remaining free of a covering with the first layer. An electrically insulating second layer is formed selectively on that partial region of the interlayer which is free of the first layer, in such a way that the electrically insulating second layer bridges adjacent electrically conductive structures such that air gaps are formed between adjacent electrically conductive structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Zvonimir Gabric, Werner Pamler, Guenther Schindler, Gernot Steinlesberger, Andreas Stich, Martin Traving, Eugen Unger
  • Patent number: 7795061
    Abstract: MEMS devices (such as interferometric modulators) may be fabricated using a sacrificial layer that contains a heat vaporizable polymer to form a gap between a moveable layer and a substrate. One embodiment provides a method of making a MEMS device that includes depositing a polymer layer over a substrate, forming an electrically conductive layer over the polymer layer, and vaporizing at least a portion of the polymer layer to form a cavity between the substrate and the electrically conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Ming Wang, Jeffrey Lan, Teruo Sasagawa
  • Patent number: 7790601
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of an integration method to form an air gap in an interconnect. On top of a metal wiring layer on a semiconductor substrate is deposited a dielectric cap layer followed by a sacrificial dielectric layer and pattern transfer layers. A pattern is transferred through the pattern transfer layers, sacrificial dielectric layer, dielectric cap layer and into the metal wiring layer. The presence of the sacrificial dielectric layer aids in controlling the thickness and profile of the dielectric cap layer which in turn affects reliability of the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Freescale Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel S. S. Choi, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Maxime Darnon, Daniel C. Edelstein, Satyanarayana Venkata Nitta, Shom Ponoth, Pak Leung
  • Patent number: 7772706
    Abstract: A spacer is adjacent to a conductive line. Vias that do not completely land on the conductive line land on the spacer and do not punch through into a volume below the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sridhar Balakrishnan, Boyan Boyanov
  • Patent number: 7767482
    Abstract: Many inventions are disclosed. Some aspects are directed to MEMS, and/or methods for use with and/or for fabricating MEMS, that supply, store, and/or trap charge on a mechanical structure disposed in a chamber. Various structures may be disposed in the chamber and employed in supplying, storing and/or trapping charge on the mechanical structure. In some aspects, a breakable link, a thermionic electron source and/or a movable mechanical structure are employed. The breakable link may comprise a fuse. In one embodiment, the movable mechanical structure is driven to resonate. In some aspects, the electrical charge enables a transducer to convert vibrational energy to electrical energy, which may be used to power circuit(s), device(s) and/or other purpose(s). In some aspects, the electrical charge is employed in changing the resonant frequency of a mechanical structure and/or generating an electrostatic force, which may be repulsive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Brian H. Stark, Markus Lutz, Aaron Partridge
  • Patent number: 7767592
    Abstract: A method for forming a mask pattern for ion-implantation comprises: forming a gate line pattern over a semiconductor substrate; forming a coating layer on the surface of gate line pattern; performing a plasma treatment on the top portion of the gate line pattern; forming a photoresist layer over the resulting structure; and performing an exposure and a developing processes to form a photoresist pattern on the gate line pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Kyu Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 7768043
    Abstract: A transistor is located on a GaAs substrate. An air bridge extends to provide a cavity above gate electrodes of the transistor. An opening is sealed by the end ball of a second wire. Further, the semiconductor device is wholly covered by sealing resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuki Aihara
  • Patent number: 7759243
    Abstract: A method for forming an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device on an integrated circuit is described. In one embodiment of the method, a capped first dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein is provided. A second dielectric layer is deposited over the capped first dielectric layer. A first hard mask dielectric layer is deposited over the second dielectric layer. A cavity trench is formed through the first hard mask dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer to the first dielectric layer, wherein the cavity trench is formed in the first dielectric layer between two adjacent electrodes. At least one via is formed through the second dielectric layer about the cavity trench. A metal trench is formed around each of the at least one via. A release opening is formed over the cavity trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Xuefeng Liu, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 7759232
    Abstract: A method of forming damascene patterns of semiconductor devices comprise forming a first insulating layer and contact plugs, formed in the first insulating layer, over a semiconductor substrate, forming an etch barrier layer and a second insulating layer over the first insulating layer, forming damascene patterns in the second insulating layer, forming a mask layer over the second insulating layer of other region except a region in which the contact plugs are formed so that the damascene patterns are exposed through the region in which the contact plugs are formed, removing the etch barrier layer under the exposed damascene patterns using an etching process employing the mask layer, and removing the mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Chan Sun Hyun
  • Patent number: 7755112
    Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a channel region fabricated on a compound semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode fabricated on the channel region, a source electrode and a drain electrode alternately arranged on the channel region with a gate electrode interposed between the source electrode and the drain electrode, a bonding pad to be connected with an external circuit; and an air-bridge connected with the bonding pad. The air-bridge includes an electrode contact terminal to be connected with the source electrode or the drain electrode and an aerial circuit line for connecting the electrode contact terminal with a contact terminal of the bonding pad, the widthwise cross sectional area of the electrode contact terminal being equal to or less than that of the aerial circuit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7745324
    Abstract: The invention comprises a copper interconnect structure that includes a noble metal cap with dielectric immediately adjacent the copper/noble metal cap interface recessed from the noble metal cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Shyng-Tsong Chen, Baozhen Li
  • Patent number: 7745323
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal interconnection structure of a semiconductor device, comprising lower metal interconnection layers disposed on a semiconductor substrate, a buffer layer made of a metal oxide disposed thereon, an intermetallic dielectric layer made of a low-k material disposed on the buffer layer of the metal oxide, and an upper metal interconnection layer disposed on the intermetallic dielectric layer and electrically connected through the intermetallic dielectric layer and buffer layer to the lower metal interconnection layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Dong-Su Park, Su Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 7741211
    Abstract: A semiconductor device can include a first interlayer dielectric layer disposed on a substrate, and an air gap defined in a portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer. The air gap can be formed within trenches etched into the first interlayer dielectric layer. An etch stop layer is disposed on the first interlayer dielectric layer and the air gap, and includes a hole communicating with the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu Hitek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong Yel Jang
  • Patent number: 7741210
    Abstract: A method of forming conductive interconnects includes forming a node of a circuit component on a substrate. A conductive metal line is formed at a first metal routing level that is elevationally outward of the circuit component. Insulative material is deposited above the first metal routing level over the conductive metal line and the circuit component. In a common masking step, a first opening is etched through the insulative material to the conductive metal line and a second opening is etched through the insulative material to the node of the circuit component that is received elevationally inward of the conductive metal line. Conductive material is concurrently deposited to within the first and second openings in respective conductive connection with the conductive metal line and the node of the circuit component. A first metal line at a second metal routing level that is above the first metal routing level is formed in conductive connection with the conductive material in the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaofeng Fan
  • Publication number: 20100151671
    Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a structure that includes an air gap. In one embodiment, a method is provided for forming a damascene structure comprises depositing a porous low dielectric constant layer by a method including reacting an organosilicon compound and a porogen-providing precursor, depositing a porogen-containing material, and removing at least a portion of the porogen-containing material, depositing an organic layer on the porous low dielectric constant layer by reacting the porogen-providing precursor, forming a feature definition in the organic layer and the porous low dielectric constant layer, filing the feature definition with a conductive material therein, depositing a mask layer on the organic layer and the conductive material disposed in the feature definition, forming apertures in the mask layer to expose the organic layer, removing a portion or all of the organic layer through the apertures, and forming an air gap adjacent the conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexandros T. Demos, Li-Qun Xia, Bok Hoen Kim, Derek R. Witty, Hichem M'Saad